Pinsent Masons launches parallel trade monitoring platform for life sciences sector

09 Mar 2022 | 11:01 am | 1 min. read

Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons launches innovative online tool to help life sciences organisations grappling with parallel trade management.

Parallens enables manufacturers and brand owners across the life sciences sector to track parallel trade notices, as well as guiding them on when and how objections can be raised - facilitating timely responses. The platform seeks to turn the data from notices into actionable intelligence, allowing organisations to identify the products being targeted by parallel traders and ultimately where organisations may face supply chain shortages.

Parallel trade is popular across the life sciences sectors, with parallel traders buying goods placed on the market in one country (often where prices are lower) and then selling them into another at a higher price. There are a number of requirements that parallel traders must meet in order to legally import products from one EU country to another, or into the UK, including repackaging products to meet local regulatory requirements and notifying rightsholders of those product changes.

Improved monitoring and increased visibility of parallel trade is more important than ever for manufacturers as supply chains for medicines have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with disruption in the manufacture of goods and spikes in demand resulting in increased movement of goods across Europe.

Leading on the development of Parallens, brand protection and parallel trade expert in the pharmaceuticals market Emily Swithenbank commented:

“Working with clients across the life sciences sector we know how time consuming and difficult parallel trade can be to manage and wanted to develop a solution to help simplify this. Poor management of parallel goods can be costly and have far-reaching brand ramifications – particularly where medicines are concerned. Also, at a time of huge disruption to global supply chains, it is vital for organisations to understand where future issues may arise, giving them time to mitigate against issues such as shortages of products.”

Adding to this, life sciences partner Marc Holtorf said:

“Parallel trade is something that will continue to grow, and it will only become more important for life sciences organisations to have measures in place to help manage this. For example, Germany, Europe's largest pharmaceutical market, is increasingly becoming a parallel trade export country as result of numerous legislative steps put in place to regulate prices for medicinal products. Organisations need to ensure they are getting this right.”

Pinsent Masons will be discussing this further during their webinar on 10 March, exploring the IP, competition and Brexit related considerations surrounding the free movement of goods between the UK and EU

Key Contacts

Marc L. Holtorf

Marc L. Holtorf

Rechtsanwalt, Partner, Head of German Life Sciences

View Profile

Latest press releases

Show me all press releases

Pinsent Masons has advised Tokai Carbon on the sale of its German subsidiary TOKAI ERFTCARBON GmbH

Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has advised Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd. (“Tokai Carbon”) on the sale of its German subsidiary TOKAI ERFTCARBON GmbH (“TEG”), to Lenbach Equity Opportunities III. GmbH & Co. KG, which is exclusively advised by DUBAG Investment Advisory GmbH (“DUBAG”).

Pinsent Masons advises on Shackleton exit

Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has advised the shareholders of independent financial advisory and wealth management firm Shackleton, including the private equity buy-and-build specialist Sovereign Capital Partners, on the exit to Lee Equity Partners.

Pinsent Masons named by The Times as a Top 50 Employer for Gender Equality

Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has been announced by Business in the Community as one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2025. This year’s list marks the sixth time that the firm has been recognised for its commitment to embedding gender equality into all levels of the organisation.

People who viewed this press release also viewed

Show me all press releases

Pinsent Masons broadens London IP bench with triple partner hire

Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has today announced the hire of three intellectual property (IP) partners and a legal director to its IP team in London.

Pinsent Masons promotes 24 to global partnership

Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has today announced its latest round of partner promotions, with 24 set to join its global partnership on 1 May.

Pinsent Masons announces approval for opening of new office in China

Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons is continuing its expansion in Asia Pacific having received government approval to open our third office in mainland China.

For all media enquiries, including arranging an interview with one of our spokespeople, please contact the press office on

+44 (0)20 7418 8199 or 

Location contacts

We are processing your request. \n Thank you for your patience. An error occurred. This could be due to inactivity on the page - please try again.